Monday, September 9, 2013

2014 Year of the Horse 1 oz Silver Proof Coin New Zealand Mint



ABOUT THE 2014 YEAR OF THE HORSE 1 OZ SILVER COIN

The Horse is the seventh animal in the twelve year Zodiac cycle. Exciting and extroverted, vivid and animated, those born during the Year of the Horse are the life of any party they attend. They are bursting with energy, always looking for the next place to kick up their heels and hang loose. New Zealand Mint is happy to release three beautiful Lunar coins to celebrate the Year of the Horse 2014.  

REVERSE DESIGN

This depicts a powerful image of a pair of stunning, pure white horses, captured mid stride in high quality colour. Sunken into this image is the Chinese character for Horse. This image is set against a mirror finish background and encircled by an ornately engraved border design including the words 2014 Year of the Horse.
 

OBVERSE DESIGN

This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.


 

PACKAGING

The 2014 Year of the Horse 1 oz Silver Coin is packaged inside an elegant wooden coloured, lacquered coin box. This sits inside a pure white outer case, matching the colour of the white horses of this coin. The Certificate of Authenticity is displayed inside the inner packaging.

Specifications:

Metal999 Fine Silver
FinishProof
Diameter40.5 mm
EdgeMilled
Denomination$2
Year of Issue2014
Weight1 Troy oz

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Birds of the Pacific Islands 1oz Silver Three Coin Set

 






About the Birds of Pacific Islands 3 x 1 oz Silver Coin Set
 
There are between 20,000 and 30,000 islands situated throughout the Pacific Ocean.
 
The existence of so many islands has created enormous opportunities for evolutionary development due to selective breeding. The result is a fantastic array of birdlife on islands throughout the Pacific, where birds have evolved into slightly different forms resulting in unique and endemic species.
 
New Zealand Mint is releasing this beautiful three Coin Set to celebrate these iconic birds of the Pacific.
 

Reverse Designs

Niue: This coin face features a high quality colour image of the Pacific Pigeon, Ducula pacifica, or ‘Lupe’ in Niuean.
 
This bird is generally acknowledged to be the most widely recognised endemic bird species on Niue. To its left is the Fiti Pua, Fagraea berteroana, the flower of Niue, and the Niuean coat of arms.
 
Fiji:  This coin face features the vibrant colours of the Collared Lory, Phigys solitaries, the National bird of Fiji.
 
Also featured is the native Tagimoucia Flower, Medinilla waterhousei, endemic to the highland rainforests of the Fijian Islands, only growing at an altitude of over 600 metres (656 yards). Above this is the official Fijian National Coat of Arms.
 
Pitcairn Island: 
This final coin features the Henderson Island Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus insularis, an iconic bird endemic to the Pitcairn Islands and listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.
 
Below this is the native Yellow Fautu, Abutilon pitcairnense, a critically endangered perennial plant once thought to be extinct until a single plant was discovered in 2003. All elements are set against a finely engraved Pacific Island background, flowing across all three coins and their timber surround.
 

Obverse Designs

Niue: Features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Fiji: Features the Fijian National Coat of Arms.
Pitcairn Island: Features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 
 

Packaging

The Birds of the Pacific Islands 3 x 1 oz Silver Coin Set is packaged in a natural-looking wooden coin holder, displaying the 3 coins side by side. The coin holder sits inside a wooden inner case, which is decorated with pacific-style engravings. The inner case sits inside a pacific themed white outer packaging. A Certificate of Authenticity is displayed inside the inner packaging. 
 
 
Technical Specifications:
 
Metal 999 Fine Silver
Finish Proof / Coloured
Diameter 51 mm x 30 mm
Edge Plain
Denomination $2
Year of Issue 2013
Mintage 3,000
Weight1 Troy oz